Murder in the Cathedral is the one of the most famous play of British Literature. We know T.S Eliot as a perfect poet but he is as perfect as in drama, because his poetic drama Murder in the Cathedral is known all over the world. Murder in Cathedral is poetic drama because it has rhythm and poetic language, which is not easy to create. The subject of the play based on the murder of Arch Bishop Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. When Eliot was writing this play, he read the notes of Edward Grim, because Edward Grim was a clerk in Cambridge and he visited Canterbury Cathedral ion 26th of December in 1170 and he was the only eyewitness of the murder of Thomas Becket. The play was written in 1935 and in the same year, it was performed in the Federal Theatre Project in America. The Murder in the Cathedral was written for Canterbury Festivals and performed in that festivals, and the play is not only famous with its poetic language, but also it was written for political and religious aspects, now I will discuss and compare the religious and the political aspects of the play with historical event that play is based on.
First of all, Murder in the Cathedral is not only historical play but also religious play. The play gives details of political in that time and also gives moral lessons about religion and faith. According to real history, Thomas Becket came from very poor family and he was born in his father Gilbert Becket house in Cheapside. It’s not absolutely known, but it’s believed that, he was born in between the years 1115 and 1120. Thomas studied law and he was supported by Theobald who was the Archbishop of Canterbury, because Thomas was very clever man, and later Thomas became the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The next year, the King Henry II became King and he publicized the Thomas as a chancellor of England. Thomas was both Archbishop and Chancellor of England. Thomas was best friend of the Henry II, and he gave ideas
Bibliography: Birket, C.J. “ Murder in the Cathedral.” On the Web, 2003. <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=6325322> Mascar, Jack.” Analysis of Chorus in Murder in the Cathedral.” On the Web, 2010. <http://www.enotes.com/murder-cathedral/q-and-a/critically-comment-significance-beckets-silence-161045> Sauder, Diana.” Murder in the Cathedral.” On the Web, 1999.